Is my black throat shy or lazy ?

markuss · 04-30-05, 05:25 PM

I got my new Black thraot monitor about 2 weeks ago at first he would not eat for 3 days probly bc he was scared but then he started eating really good and then he would not eat for a day or 2 i was told these guys are pigs and eat every day. but he seems very lazy to me he sleeps like all the time or at least that is what he wants me to think bc when i am out of the room he will move around a bit but not much.but when i enter the room he will just lay down and close his eyes and not move. so maby they are less active when they are younger my buddy has a 5' black throat and its very active where my little guy wont move much he is only 25" long from head to tail so he is still young. so maby someone could tell me if there is something i should do or stop worrying lol.

V.hb · 04-30-05, 05:42 PM

No, don't stop worrying. In the mean time, check your temperatures. You want to create a an ambient temperature of about 80 degrees. 120-130 hotspot, 80 mid, and high to mid 70's for the cool end. Hide spots in each area also..

You may want to soak your albig to ensure that he is hydrated. Using an enclosure that has little ventilation (without causing mold) will help fight dehydration also. Screen lids are no good with monitors.

What are you currently housing him in?

kap10cavy · 04-30-05, 10:48 PM

After checking the temps and giving it time to get adjusted to its new home try this. Bury some earthworms and some chopped up mice in the dirt or give him some nice fat roaches to chase around. This is what I do to keep mine active. Usually he just eats and bask, then goes back underground.

Scott

mbayless · 05-01-05, 12:38 AM

Yeah, what Scott said...and make sure it has plenty of water to drink, and offer it some boiled eggs - that might get it going....
does it have hide spots, and room? They are sensitive animals you know!
markb

markuss · 05-01-05, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the reply guys:
I have him in a 60 gal for now but plan on a cage for later (9'x5'x4') but on the cage now i have a hard top and it keeps the hot area at about 120-125 and cold side about 80-85 but when i first got him i knew he was a little dehydrated so have soaked him a few times and seemed to fix that his eyes are fine and his skin does not tent and he is drinking fine on his own. but as far as the food goes he wont touch superworms but but love crickets and takes fuzzys from my hand i have tryed him with eggs but he checks it out and then walks away so i tryed hard boiled and raw egg but nothing. i just dont want him to live off mice because i was told they get more agressive on a mice diet so i like the idea of burying some earth woms and try with some roaches and i seen some ppl use clams and crayfish,prawns so by the sounds of things everything should be ok bc just like scotts (BT) mine just comes out to eat or drink or bask and then goes back to his hideing hole and like mark said they are sensitive so that would be why he runs and hide when i enter the room its all starting to make sence. but if scott or anyone else with a black throat could send me a list of food items that they have tryed.

ty for all the info guys if you have any more good pionter i would like to hear them from you guys. and maby some pics to i want to see other ppls (BT)